To expedite the process, officials have brought in the big guns -
Ceres Environmental, a disaster debris management company that removed and
disposed of 1.3 million cubic yards of debris in Jefferson County after the
April 2011 storms.

Large, self-loading "knuckleboom" trucks have been clearing debris
in Kimberly since Thursday. Mayor Bob Ellerbrock said Saturday that the trucks have already cleared
about 3,500 cubic yards, or about 10 to 20 percent of the city's debris.

Officials hope to have the remaining debris removed in 20 days.

"That's our target so we can start focusing on rebuilding,"
Ellerbrock said.

Gov. Robert Bentley announced last week that Kimberly and other
affected areas throughout the state qualify for federal money to assist in
cleanup from the storms. City officials are working with the state of Alabama
and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to supplement Kimberly's limited
resources.

Kimberly residents should be careful and patient as the debris
removal process continues, Ellerbrock said. Anyone with questions can visit the city's website or call city hall at (205)647-5551.

Residents should place all storm-generated debris to the public
right-of-way, which is the residential property area from the street to the
sidewalk, ditch, utility pole or easement, and separate the debris into several
types. Only loose debris will be collected.